United News of Bangladesh

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Thursday said the recent hike in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices at the consumer level is driven by retailers, not importers. “Importers are not increasing prices. Retail traders are responsible for the price escalation in the market,” the minister told reporters after a meeting with LPG importers at the Commerce Ministry conference room. The minister said the government discussed pricing and supply issues in detail with importers and noted their concerns. To prevent market manipulation at the retail level, Muktadir said, monitoring will be intensified through local administrations in the coming days. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had initially fixed the retail price of a 12kg LPG cylinder at Tk 1,356, later revising it down to Tk 1,341 on February 24. However, cylinders are currently being sold in the market at Tk 1,700–1,800. Responding to a question on when LPG would be available at the BERC-set price, the minister said prices would eventually come down to the previous level, though importers have sought a price review. “The ministry will consider the matter based on data and information. No one can run a business at a loss. However, no decision has been taken to increase LPG prices.” In January, the government allowed the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to import LPG under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement to ease supply constraints. But the initiative has yet to yield visible impact in the market due to limited storage capacity. “The main problem for BPC is the lack of storage facilities. Without adequate storage, it cannot proceed with imports,” the minister said, adding that plans are underway to gradually enhance LPG storage capacity. The government may also utilise storage facilities of private importers. Although 33 companies have permission to import LPG in Bangladesh, only around 10 are currently active. The minister said many importers became inactive following the August 5, 2024 developments, creating a supply gap in the market. Muktadir pointed out that reliance on the spot market instead of future contracts contributes to price volatility. Importers are additionally facing banking-related complications, he said, expressing the hope that the LPG market would stabilise soon after addressing these issues.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Sunday (January 04, 2026) said there is no shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country and local administrations have been ordered to take action against those responsible for creating the artificial crisis. “The district and upazila administrations have been asked to operate mobile courts to normalise the situation,” the ministry said in a statement.  It expressed optimism that LPG prices will be stabilised soon through these measures. Read more: LPG prices for Jan up but BERC admits lack of control over retailers Considering the high retail LPG prices, the Energy Adviser held an emergency meeting with officials to review the situation. Another meeting was held at the ministry with leaders of the LPG Owners Association and LPG operators, chaired by the energy secretary. During the meeting, LPG association leaders and importers said that retailers have artificially created the crisis taking advantage of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent price revision. According to the ministry, LPG imports were 1.05 lakh metric tons in November 2025 and 1.27 lakh metric tons in December 2025. Despite the increase in imports, there is no logic for a supply shortage in the market, it added. The ministry also said the government has already taken steps to address some demands raised by the association. It was decided in the meeting that the LPG Operators Association will issue a statement regarding the artificial crisis. Read more: CAB seeks govt action to rein in LPG, sugar, edible oil prices

BNP on Tuesday demanded the government to immediately revoke its decision of hiking the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sold by private companies. “The prices of essential commodities, including fuel oil, gas, rice, pulses, edible oil are being continuously increased, cussing serious misery to low-income people,” said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Read: LPG gets costlier by Tk 62 per 12-kg container Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said their party thinks the prices of fuel oil and other essentials are being increased for creating a scope of corruption by the government and the unethical profits by the ruling-party-backed businessmen. He urged the government to take steps to lower the prices of essential items at the consumer level. “Especially, we demand the cancellation of the decision to increase the LPG prices and restore its previous prices,” Fakhrul said. He also warned that they all together will take to the streets if their demand is not met. Read: People to turn down search committee’s recommendations: BNP The price of private operators' liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was increased by Tk 62 to 1,240 from Tk 1178 per 12-kg container with effect from Thursday (Feb 3) at the retail level. As per the announcement, the prices for other quantities of the LPG will also go up in line with the new price at the same ratio. The price of autogas for motor vehicles has also gone up to Tk 57.51 from the present price of Tk 54.95 per litre.